Commission Meeting

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commission Chamber Tuesday, November 07, 2023 2:00 PM PRESENT Mayor Garnett Johnson Commissioner Brandon Garrett Commissioner Jordan Johnson Commissioner Bobby Williams Commissioner Alvin Mason Commissioner Sean Frantom Commissioner Francine Scott Commissioner Catherine Smith-McKnight Commissioner Stacy Pulliam Commissioner Tony Lewis Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle INVOCATION Reverend Melvin Ivey, Pastor, Greater St. John Baptist Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA RECOGNITION(S) A. Congratulations!!! Alleluia Community School Girls Volleyball Team on winning the 2023 Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class A State Championship. (Requested by Commissioner Bobby Williams). Recognition of the Alleluia Community School Girls Volleyball Team. DELEGATION(S) B. Mr. Moses Todd, I Love Augusta, Inc. regarding Jail Pod Revenue Bond, Waterpark SPLOST 8 Good and welfare of Augusta Richmond County. Presentation is made by Mr. Todd. C. Ms. Brenda Durant, Greater Augusta Arts Council presentation of City Arts Grant Awards on behalf of the City of Augusta. Presentations are made to the City Arts Grant Awards recipients. CONSENT AGENDA  (Items 1-38) PUBLIC SERVICES 1. Motion to approve New Ownership/Existing Location: A.N. 23-49: A request by Iqbal H. Mohammad for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Forest Hills Market located at 3216 Wrightsboro Rd. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 2. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 23-50: A request by Rakeshkumar Patel for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Yogi Convenience Store located at 2319 Milledgeville Rd. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 3. Motion to approve New Ownership/Existing Location: A.N. 23-51: A request by Pawan K. Wanwari for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Jones Corner located at 1496 Jones Street. District 1. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 4. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 23-52: A request by Deep Patel for a retail package Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Gas World #17 located at 2062 Gordon Hwy. District 2. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 5. Motion to approve New Ownership/Existing Location: A.N. 23-53: A request by Gurpreet Walia for a retail package Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Wine and  Shine located at 2065 Walton Way. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 6. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 23-54: A request by Ryan M. Simms for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Jim N Nicks BBQ #4052 located at 275 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Pkwy. There will be Sunday Sales. District 3. Super District 10. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 7. Motion to approve New Location: A.N. 23-55: A request by Cassandra Parker for a consumption on premise Liquor, Beer & Wine License to be used in connection with Lush Lounge Eatery located at 1647 Gordon Hwy. There will be Dance. District 2. Super District 9 (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 8. Motion to approve Professional Services Contract with Mead & Hunt, Inc. to perform Aviation Planning Services, Feasibility Studies and all related tasks as listed/shown within the professional services RFQ and/or requested by Augusta Regional Airport. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on September 21, 2023. RFQ 23-156 (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 9. Motion to approve acceptance of FAA AIP Grants No. 3-13-0011-054-2023 (#54), No. 3-13-0011- 055-2023 (#55), No. 3-13-0011-056-2023 (#56), and No. 3-13-0011-057-2023 (#57). Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on September 21, 2023. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 10. Motion to approve the Amendment to CFC Ordinance and waive Second Reading. Approved by the Augusta Aviation Commission on July 27, 2023. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 11. Motion to approve Daniel Field Airport Right-Of-Way Land Acquisition. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 12. Motion to approve Daniel Field Airport DBE Plan FY24-26 to include Mayor Johnson signing the policy statement. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 13. Motion to approve FY 2024 Metropolitan Transportation Planning Services Annual Contract (aka GDOT PL Funds Contract). (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 14. Motion to approve and execute the FY 2024 Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Annual Complete Streets Funding Contract from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle  Motion carries 10-0. 15. Motion to approve and execute the 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Update Funding Contract from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 16. Motion to approve the Sec. 5339 Augusta Transit grant application between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Augusta, Georgia. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 17. Motion to approve the modification and installation of bus shelter pad and bus shelter for 3200 Deans Bridge Road at Jay Avenue at Villa Marie Apartments. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 18. Motion to approve decaling of Food Trucks and report back in 90 days proposed amendments to the Food Truck Ordinance. (Approved by Public Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 19. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to provide Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Funding to contract with Honnette Habitats, LLC to develop new construction of two (2) single family units identified as 1411 and 1413 Maple Street, within Laney Walker/Bethlehem. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 20. Motion to approve Housing and Community Development Department’s (HCD's) request to transfer budget funds of $172,875 from Salary/Benefits object 51 codes to object code 5239112 for temporary workforce expenditures. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 21. Motion to approve the purchase of one Ford Explorer at a total cost of $39,983 from Allan Vigil Ford for the Richmond County Coroner’s Office. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 22. Motion to approve the purchase of five Dodge Police Chargers and one Dodge Durango at a total cost of $259,999 from Thomson Motor Center for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 23. Motion to approve the purchase of one passenger van at a total cost of $105,814 from Creative Bus Sales for the Augusta Richmond County Juvenile Court program. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 24. Motion to approve dedication sign concept for Diamond Lakes ball field in honor of Fred Ancil “Andy” Cheek III. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ENGINEERING SERVICES 25. Motion to approve additional funds for contract with Blair Construction, Inc. to perform asphalt patch repair, concrete curb and sidewalk replacement for the Utilities Department. 22AUA122(Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 26. Motion to approve and authorize Third Renewal of the Solid Waste & Recycling Frontload Services Agreement with Coastal Waste and Recycling of Georgia, Inc. (f/k/a Orion Waste f/k/a Inland Waste Solutions, LLC). Requested by Engineering. Bid 13-196 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Williams, Seconded by Garrett. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 27. Motion to approve supplemental funding for additional services by Cavanaugh & Associates, P.A. for the Utilities Department’s Water Loss Program. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 28. Motion approve additional fees in the amount of $250,000 to ISM Engineering for engineering services supporting the fiber, rainfall, and on-call engineering. 19UTI792(Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 29. Motion to approve additional fees in the amount of $89,000 to Ardurra Engineering for engineering services to evaluate the JB Messerly Wastewater Treatment Plant. P433665 (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 30. Motion to approve additional fees in the amount of $10,000 to Particle Industries to cover additional fees incurred for antennas. 21AUA183. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 31. Motion to approve AUD and AED have been coordinating on research partially funded by EPD through the Seed Grant program. We have reached the end of a major experiment and are requesting a 6 month time extension to analyze the data collected. EPD has provided a contract amendment reflecting the time extension. There is no cost associated with the extension(Approved by Engineering Services Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. FINANCE 32. Motion to approve a request from Mr. Aaron Matthews of Matthews Motors for a refund of property taxes in the amount of $8,388.42 for property located at 1365 Gordon Highway. (Approved by Finance Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 33. Motion to approve annual leave buy back program up to the amount of 40 hours.(Approved by Finance Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PUBLIC SAFETY 34. Motion to approve Proposal from BIS Digital for Grand Jury Room AV System. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 35. Motion to approve assigning the honorary name designation of Bishop C.M. Bailey Way to a portion of Wrightsboro Road. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 36. Motion to approve the sole source procurement of BIS Digital, Progressive Communication equipment, and Alrich Electric services in support of the 2024 ARPA Digital Evidence and Audio Visual Upgrade Project. (Approved by Public Safety Committee October 31, 2023) Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. APPOINTMENT(S) 37. Motion to approve the appointment of Ms. Julia Means to the Augusta Port Authority representing District 2. Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 38. Motion to approve the minutes of the regular minutes of the October 17, 2023 regular meeting and Special Called Meeting held October 31, 2023. Motion to approve.  Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. ****END CONSENT AGENDA**** AUGUSTA COMMISSION AUGUSTA COMMISSION REGULAR AGENDA (Items 39-43) ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 39. Motion to designate one voting delegate and one alternate voting delegate for the upcoming 2023 National League of Cities Conference November 15-18, 2023. Mr. Johnson nominates Ms. Stacy Pulliam as the voting delegate and Mr. Tony Lewis as the alternate voting delegate. Mr. Mason seconds Mr. Johnson's nominations. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Vote carries 10-0. 40. Discuss & approve Augusta Engineering Department (AED) Hiring & Retention Personnel Recommendations (attached Exhibit A). (Requested by Commissioner Tony Lewis & Engineering). Motion to approve. Motion made by Garrett, Seconded by Mason. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. FINANCE 41. Consider a request from Mr. Patrick Feistel regarding the refund of taxes for the Garden City Rescue Mission on Fenwick Street. (No recommendation from Finance Committee October 31,2023) Motion to approve the refund of the taxes. Motion made by Johnson, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Smith-McKnight, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Motion carries 10-0. 42. Motion to have the Administrator provide a budget that is reduced by 1.5 percent from the current proposal; this reduction should not impact the cost-of-living adjustment and/or reduction in benefits to employees. (Requested by Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle) Motion to approve receiving this item as information. Motion made by Guilfoyle, Seconded by Williams. Voting Yea: Garrett, Johnson, Williams, Mason, Frantom, Scott, Pulliam, Lewis, Guilfoyle Voting Nay: Smith-McKnight Motion carries 9-1. Substitute motion to approve requesting the Administrator to provide a budget that is reduced by .75% Motion made by Smith-McKnight, Seconded by Guilfoyle. Voting Yea: Smith-McKnight, Frantom, Garrett, Guilfoyle. Voting Nay: Johnson, Pulliam, Williams, Lewis, Scott. Voting Present: Mason. Motion fails 4-5-1. LEGAL MEETING A. Pending and Potential Litigation B. Real Estate C. Personnel 43. Motion to authorize execution by the Mayor of the affidavit of compliance with Georgia's Open Meeting Act.